COLUMBUS—Some Columbus students are learning skills not only to build houses, but also build their lives.

  • YouthBuild provides education, counseling and job skills to low-income, out-of-school students
  • Students work to complete a high school diploma or GED, while gaining skills in construction to build affordable housing in the community
  • YouthBuild is funded by federal grants

Participants complete either a high school diploma or GED, and gain skills in construction.

“I never experienced construction, but once I got here, I really liked it,” said Raquawn Oglesby, YouthBuild participant. “I've always been into building stuff, and putting stuff together.

“It's very important because some people don't have opportunities like this to do,” said Jaylon Martina, YouthBuild participant.

These students are a part of YouthBuild Columbus Community School's construction program, funded by federal grants.

The grants support educational and vocational training for youth in underserved communities.

Damond Porter is a former YouthBuild graduate who now works at the school. 

“One thing that I've loved about YouthBuild for years is that using construction, it's something that's never going to go away,” said Damond Porter, safety and security consultant at YouthBuild Columbus Community School. “We're always going to need some place to stay. We're always going to need a home or a roof over our head that needs repaired.”

He says the program helps connect youth with opportunities they might not have otherwise.

Data from the Department of Labor indicates that around half of YouthBuild students go directly into more education or employment. 

“Because we're dealing with so much per se, violence, and different things that's going on in our communities. We need programs to invest in our youth so that we can build them up,” said Porter.

And keep them engaged with education through hands on learning—the students say that helps.

Nationally, more than 6,000 youth participate in YouthBuild programs in forty states. 

“It makes it click more in my brain, when I'm doing hands-on stuff. When I'm doing it hands on I'm seeing it, I'm feeling it, I'm doing it,” said Janeica Crockett, YouthBuild participant.

YouthBuild USA is a Department of Labor-funded program.

Six organizations across Ohio received grants between $1 million and $1.1 million for two years.

The program will teach youth construction trade skills that they'll use to build and renovate houses for low-income families in Columbus.

“It makes me feel good. Some people can't really afford houses like that, so we fix it up, sell it to them,” said Amiya Manns, YouthBuild participant.

The programs aren't only in urban areas—Vinton County also has it's own YouthBuild program covering Southeast Ohio.

Rich Games, from the Sojourners Care Network says programs that target youth are vital for the region that has some of the highest unemployment rates in the state.

“Vinton County is one of the most distressed counties in Appalachian Ohio, so there really aren't opportunities for young people,” said Games. “Employment opportunities are limited. They're even more limited for people who have dropped out of high school.”

And a growing housing shortage.

The housing stock in this area is very depleted.

In fact, Vinton County has the highest per capita mobile homes of any county in the state, and they're old mobile homes.

Sojourner's program will re-launch this summer after a hiatus.

They're expanding it to serve both Vinton and Ross Counties through a partnership with Chillicothe City Schools.

“It's allowing us to provide young people who, a lot of times, are going to end up unemployed, or going to end up being on government assistance, to actually help them to become independent and gain employment and be able to support a family,” said Games.

Participants complete either a high school diploma or GED, and gain skills in construction.

But, there are benefits even if a construction job isn't the end goal.

“YouthBuild is actually more about the employability skills, more about the source of skills and knowledge and attributes and dispositions to be successful either in the workplace or in college,” said Games.

Skills and investment Games thinks will pay dividends across the state.

“Community development is important, jobs and economic development is important, but we really have to invest in young people,” said Games.